Bristol launch for ELLE’s Shopgirl to Stylist competition

Ship-Shape had an early start this morning, arriving at French Connection in Quakers Friars at 9am for the launch of ELLE magazine’s styling competition Shopgirl to Stylist.

‘Fashion’s answer to the x-Factor’ was launched at the beginning of March but over the next four weeks the ELLE team are hitting the high streets of the UK to promote the competition, which would see the winner receiving a coveted six month internship at ELLE HQ in London. This morning was a chance for Bristol to flex it’s fashion muscles as French Connection staff were given the challenge of styling a mannequin in a S/S 10 trend using items from the shop floor.

The team’s efforts were judged by ELLE’s Senior Fashion Editor Natalie Wansborough-Jones, who was on hand to offer style tips and to encourage shopgirls – and boys – to enter the unique competition. Today the three teams came up with festival, floral and city chic looks and speaking of the winning team, pictured above, Wansborough-Jones applauded the use of accessories and said the look was “very ELLE”.

Wannabe stylists have until 4th June 2010 to send in their entries to the website, where readers can comment on and ‘love’ their favourite looks. After that the finalists will have the opportunity to be mentored by by ELLE’s infamous Fashion Director, Anne-Marie Curtis before the winner is announced in the October 25th anniversary issue of ELLE. So what are you waiting for? If you’re aged 18 or over and currently work for a fashion retailer then send in your entries and represent Bristol while you’re at it! For more details on how to apply and to see all the entries click here.

Ship-Shape was lucky enough to interview Natalie Wansborough-Jones about this competition, life as a stylist and the fashion blogs she can’t live without so keep your eyes peeled for the post, coming shortly.

French Connection in Quakers Friars, where the event took place

Staff team up to put together a S/S 10 look for the styling competition

A team dresses their mannequin in a bid to win an ELLE subscription for a year Senior Fashion Editor Natalie Wansborough-Jones tweeting from the store